Monorail switch



Jfine 18, 1935.

DE CLERMONT D UNLAP MONORAIL SWITCH Filed Nov. 4, 1935 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l'hvenfor lellnram/Imhp By, fl

June 18, 1935. DE CLERMONT DUNLAP I 2,005,133

MONORAIL SWITCH Filed Nov. 4, 1935 3 Sheets-She-t five'nfor June 18, 1935. DE CLERMONT DUNLAYP MONORAIL SWITCH Filed Nov. 4, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 R1 Jnmwrfon; 1 J6 flew/210m Fania a;

o o o m w m ow 0 G0 0 Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE MONGRAIIJ swnron' De Clermdnt Dunlap, Newark, N. J Application November 4, 1933, Serial No. 696,612

'1 claims. (01. 104-103) I This invention relates to a switch 'for monorail.

railway systems of the type in which cars for coaches are suspended from trucks mounted to traverse asingle overhead rail.

An object of the invention is to provide an over head monorail switch whereby a suspendedmonorail coach or train may be readily directed from one single rail or track to another and which is so formed as to be applicable to effect a crossover connection between a pair of monorail tracks spaced suchdistance apart-as to permit coaches or trains traversing the contiguous tracks to pass each other. i

Another object is to provide a switch of the above character which is adapted to form a connectionbetween widely separated monorail tracks at such low angle of diversion from the course of the tracks to be interconnected as to afford but slight change in direction in the travel of coachesor trains in traversing the switch thereby permitting a crossover to be efiected at v high speed.

Another object is to provide a'monorailswitch which is'so constructed as to permit of 'the passage from one'slde of a monorail track to the other of hangers employed in suspending a coach in .a position beneath the track from a truck mounted to traverse the track.

Another object is to provide 'a construction whereby lengths'of a pair'of monorail trac'ks'may be swung to "extend in alignment with each other diagonally betweena pair of spaced tracks, and whereby the ends of such swung lengths may be interconnected .to form a continuous diagonal track leading from one of the tracks .of .thelpair to the other.

.Another object is to .provide .a crossover or switch for overhead monorail tracks which .isso formeclas to-effect connection between suspended overhead rails. v

.Aiurther object is toprovide anveffective. mechanism for operating the switch which is .adapted to be operated either=manuallyorby means of -a motor.

With the foregoing objects in view together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention-resides'in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter'described and claimed, and illustrated, by way of example, :in'

the accompanying drawings .in which:

Figure i is a diagrammatic ,plan view of the switch showing it inits open-position'in full: lines and in its closed or operating position ainedotted lines, and illustrating the-mode of operation thereof;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the ;struc-. ture shown in Figure l'; a

I Figure 3 is a plan view andhorizontal section 5 taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the switch as disposed in its closed or crossover "positi 1 l Figure 4 is a View in cross section and elevation as seen on the line -44 of Figure ;2 showing the switch operating mechanism;

Figure 5 is a detail'in vertical section, with parts shown elevation, as seen on the line 55- 5 of Figure 4;

v Figure 6 is a detail in perspective with parts broken away depicting one of the swinging switch elements and the manner of mounting same; 7

Figure 7 is a'plan view of the switch operating mechanism shown Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a plan view and horizontal section taken on the line 8-1! of Figure 4"w-ith parts broken away, depicting on scale larger than that of Figure 3, the means "for effecting connection between the pair of swinging switch elements, but in which view theswitch elements are shown in their normalopen positions; E

Figure '9 is a detail in elevation taken on the line 9-4 -'of- Figure -8-; 1

Figure 10 is a detail as "seen on the line 1'0 '0 of Figure8; g

Figure "11 is aosection "taken on-theline "|i| -I| l' of Figure 8. j 1 j} Referring to the drawings more specifically, A,and'Bindicate.generallya,Dairofspacedmond rail tracks each of. which is designed to afford a track .to support and be traversedkby the tracks of a'monora'il .coach suspended from the trucks and disposedbeneath thetracks; the track's-being spaced apart such distance ,as to permit :the pas; sage relatively .to each. other i of coaches 5G1; 1 trains traveling thereon. I

The .tracks A and ,B.aresuspended.imspaced relation to the ground from transverse overhead beamsrspaced at suitableintervalsapart tl'lrou'gh out the length of therailway, ,and which beams are carried on ,uprights @Which :ma be supported inany desired ,manner. JnIEigure ,-1: of gthfi' drawings the transverse overhead. :beams are -shown as including spaeedbeams-C carried-romcolumns 50 D, .and ;also including ,a ;pair ofgcontiguous .zbnt spaced beams; in ;.,and M :carried mespectively pairsv of columns (1:2 and i3 vwhichpair: oi;-beams are located;intermediate therbeams C;in spaced relation thereto and -,,afiord 1a support for atheoperative elements of the switch structure embeneath the tracks in a dependent position from 1 trucks superimposed on the tracks, which coach carrying hangers depend alongside the tracks.

.For this purpose each of the tracks Aand B is supported by connections leading laterally from the side thereof opposite that traversed by the coach carrying hangers. it is desired to transfer a suspended coach or train from one of'the tracks to the other it is essential that the supporting connectionto the two tracks A and B be connected thereto on corresponding sides thereof. so

This is accomplished in the construction here shown by supporting the track A on brackets E affixed to hangers F carried by the beams C and also by brackets|4 and ,I5 afiixed to hangers I6 and I! carried by the pair of beams l0 and II and by supporting the track B on brackets Gon hangers H carried by the beams C and also by brackets l9 and 20 affixed to hangers 2| and 22 depending from the pair of beams I0 and H. The several hangers depend from the overhead beams inlateral offset relation to the tracks, and the several brackets project from their respective hangers in corresponding-directions to connect with the tracks A and B on corresponding sides thereof. 7

While the tracks A and B may be variously, constructed they are here shown as embodying I-beams with rails carriedthereon, and to which I-beams the supporting brackets are attached.

In carrying out the present invention the tracks A and B are provided respectively with lengths or sections 23 and 24 adapted to be swung horizontally from their normally aligned positions relative to the tracks A and B to extend diagonally between the rails A and B in alignment with each other to effect a connection between the tracks. The section 23 is interposedbetween longitudinally spaced fixed beams 25 and 26 of the track A and is connected by a hinge 21 to the outer end of the fixed beam 25 ,to swing in andout of alignment with the fixed beam 26; and the section. 24 isinterposed between longitudinally spaced fixed beams 28 and 29 of the track B and is connected by a hinge 30 to one end'of the fixed beam 28 to swing in and out of alignment with the fixed beam 29, as particularly shown in Figure 3. The hinged rail sections 23 and 24 maybe formed of any suitable lengths, being designed according to the loads they are intending to carry and also according to the angular position they are intended to assume relativelyto their associated tracks when disposed in their diagonal cross-over position.

As a means for spanning a gap formed between the ends of the hinged rail sections 23 and 24 when the latter are swung to their aligned position, a fixed section of track K is providedintermediate the tracks A and B, which section'of track K extends diagonally in an angular re lation to the tracks Aand B corresponding to the angular relations of. the track sections 23 and 24 to the tracks A and B when disposedin; their aligned diagonal position. The track section K is of such length and is so disposed that its opposite ends will meet the outer ends of the hinged track sections 23 and 24 to form continua- It follows that where alongside the track tions thereof and extend in alignment therewith when said track sections 23 and 24 are positioned to extend in alignmentwith each other.

The track section K, here shown as comprising an I-beam 3| and a rail 32 carried thereon, is

supported in a dependent position by a pair of hangers 33 and 34 fitted with horizontally extending brackets 35 and 36 which latter are affixed to one side of the track section K adjacent the ends thereof; the brackets 35 and 36 extending from the hangers 33 and 34 in a direction corresponding to the direction of projection of the track supporting brackets |4|5 and |92il from the hangers |6-|| and 2|22 and accordingly connect with the track section K on the side thereof corresponding to the sides of the tracks A and B with which the various track supporting brackets connect so that when the track sections 23 and 24 are positioned in alignment with each other, as shown in full lines in Figure 3, coach supporting hangers may pass I section K. v The hangers 33 and 34 are secured to the pair of parallel beams 10 and II from which beams dependthe hangers |6|1 and 2|22,' before referred to, and which last named hangers afportions of the fixed ford supports for the end beams 26 and 29 of the tracks A and B. a

In the construction here shown, the fixed track sections 26 and 29 terminate to meet the outer endsof the hinged track sections 23 and 24 when the latter are disposed in alignment therewith, and their outer terminal portions extend in overlapped but spaced relation to each other so asto afford sufiicientspacebetween the outer ends of the hinged track sections 23 and 24 to accommodate a substantial length of the intermediate track sectionK and also to accommodate supports for, the outer ends of the hinged track sections and an overhead operating mechanism carried on the beams I0 and H hereinafter described.

Mounted on the overhead beam I Dis a horizontally extending, arcuate rail formed on an are extending concentric with the axis of the'hinge 21 and carried on the beam H is a horizontally disposed arcuate rail 4|, formed on an are com centric with the hinge 30. Mounted to travel on the rails 40 and 4| are carriages L and M each of which includes a frame 42 fitted with a series of spaced rollers 43 adapted to traverse the rails 40 and 4|, and afiixed to the carriages L and M are depending hangers 44 and 45 on the lowerportions of which are carried horizontally projecting brackets and 41 connected by hinges 48 and 49' to'the outer ends of the hinged track sections 23 and 24 respectively, as particularlyshown in Fig-- ure 8; the brackets 46 and connecting with the sections 23 and 24 on the sides thereof corresponding to the sides of the rails A and B from which their supporting brackets extend. a

The carriages L and M afford traveling supports for the outer ends of the hinged rail sections 23 and 24 and whereby on shifting the carriages L and M longitudinally of the rails 40 and 4| the track sections 23 and 24 m y be swung laterally on their respective hinges 21 and 30.

As a means for facilitating movement of the carriages L and M along their tracks each of the carriages is fitted with a revoluble shaft 50 011 which is fixed a toothed wheel 5|, and extending concentric with the arcuate rails 40 and 4| are areuate racks 52 and 53 with which the toothed wheels 5| engage in suchmanner that on rotation of the latter the carriages L and M will be caused to advance on therails 40 and H. The shafts-5i are fitted with hand wheels 54 whereby the shafts may be rotated manually toefiect movement of the carriages; a platform'55 being provided between the beams Ill and II to accommodate an operator. 1

Each oi the carriages L and M is shown as equipped witha motor 56 the shaft of which is connected to the shaft 50 whereby the latter may be power driven; it being contemplated to ordinarily impel the carriages by operation, of the motors and to employ manual propulsion thereof in emergencies.- 7

Suitable stops 5! and 58 are provided at the ends of the rails 40 and M to limit movement of the carriages L and M in either direction.

Means are provided for detachably connecting the outer end portions of the hinged track sections 23 and 24, hereinafterreferred to as switch sections, in alignment with their associated fixed track sections 26 and 29, and also to effect detachable connection between the ends of the switch sections 23 and 24 and the ends of the track section K, so as to securely hold the switch sections 23 and 24 against accidental displacement.

This means is here shown as including stops 60 and B! on the fixed track section 26 and the intermediate track section K respectively for limiting swinging movement of the switch section 23, stops '62 and 63 on the fixed track section 29 and the intermediate track section K respectively for.

limiting swinging movement of the switch section 24, and also as including electrically operated catches 6 1 and 65 on the track sections 21 and K respectively adapted to engage a keeper 66 on the switch section 23 and electrically operated catches El and 68 on the track sections 29 and K respectively adapted to engage a keeper 69 on the switch section 2%. The catches 64, 65, 61 and 68 are here shown as afiixed to reciprocal cores a of solenoid magnets b embodying oppositely Wound coils alternate energization of which will effect reciprocation of the cores a to advanceand retract the catches thereon as will be readily understood. Electrical current is directed to the solenoid magnets as occasion may require through conductors c which lead from the coils of the magnets to any suitable switch control mechanism not necessary to be here shown.

In the operation of the invention the switch sections 23 and 24 are disposed in alignment with their associated track sections 25-26 and 28-49 respectively when it is desired to direct monorail cars or trains along either orboth the monorail tracks A and B past the switch or cross-over; the switch sections then being interconnected at their outer ends to the fixed track sections 26 and 29 by the catches 64 and 6'! which are then engaged with the keepers 66 and 69 on the switch sections 23 and 24 respectively. The switchsections will then be disposed as shown in Figure 1.

When it is desired to direct cars or trains from the track A to the track B or vice versa, the catches 64 and 61 are disengaged from the keepers 56 and 69 whereupon the carriages L and M are set in motion by rotating the shafts 50 there-- on to cause the toothed wheels 5| on said shafts to traverse the racks 52 and 53 and thereby shift the carriages on their supporting rails 40 and 4|. Rotation of the shafts 50 may be-effected either by means of the motors 56 or by manual operation of the hand wheels 54 as before described.

Movement of the carriages L and M toward each other will advance the outer ends of the switch; sections 23 andv 24, which sections will then swing on their hinges 2'! and 30 toward the opposed rails 29 and 26 until the carriages have been moved such distance as to bring the outer ends of the switch sections against the stops 5| and 53 on the intermediate track section K whereupon the switch sections will extend in alignment with each other and with the sec-'- tion K.

The-catches and 68 are then engaged with the keepers 66 and 69 so as to efiect secure connection between the switch sections and the intermediate section K. .The switch sections will then be disposed as shown in Figure 3, whereupon a cross-over from one track to the other maybe efiected. g

The switch sections are restored to their normal position by reversing the operation just 'de-' scribed.

I claim:

1. A monorail switch comprising in combination, a pair of monorail tracks, a hinged section ment with each other, and a fixed track section disposed intermediate the pair of monorail tracks in angular relation thereto and arranged to extend between the contiguous ends of said pivoted track sections when the latter are aligned and in longitudinal alignment therewith.

3. A monorail switch comprising in combination, a pair of monorail tracks, a pivoted track section in each of said tracks, said track sections being adapted to be swung to extend into alignment with each other, a fixed track section disposed intermediate thepair of monorail tracks in angular relation thereto and arranged to extend between the contiguous ends of said pivoted track sections when the latter are aligned and in longitudinal alignment therewith, and means for effecting detachable connection between the ends of said fixed track section and the contiguous ends of said pivoted track sections.

4. In a monorail switch, a pair of hinged track sections arranged to be swung into longitudinal alignment with each other, overhead arcuate rails extending in transverse relation to the outer end portions of said hinged track sections, a carriage mounted to traverse each of said rails, and hangers depending from said carriages connected to the outer end portions of said hinged track sections.

5. A monorail switch comprising in combination, a pair of overhead monorail tracks, a hinged track section in each of said tracks, said hinged track sections being adapted to be swung into alignment with each other diagonally between said pair of monorail tracks, a pair of carriages arranged to travel transversely of said monorail tracks in superimposed relation thereto, depending connections between said carriages and the outer end portions of said hinged track sections, and means for impelling said carriages including toothed racks, toothed wheels engaged with said racks, and revoluble shafts carried by said carriages on which said toothed wheels are mounted, and means for rotating said shafts.

6. In a monorail switch, a pair of monorail tracks each including spaced fixed track sections, hinged track sections mounted to extend between said spaced fixed track sections and adapted to be swung into alignment with each other, means for detachably connecting the outer ends of said hinged track sections to the ends 2,005,138 I 7. In a monorail track system, a, pair of mono"- rail tracks, depending supports for said tracks connected thereto to project from one sidethereof with the connections leading from corre-v sponding sides thereof, a hinged section in each of said tracks mounted to swing inwardly toward and into alignment with each other, and depending supports connected to the outer end portions of said hinged sections leading from the sides thereof corresponding to the-sides of said tracks from which their supporting connections lead.

DE CLERMONT DUNLAP. 

